Father James “Jim” Conover, a former parochial vicar at St. Mary’s in New Monmouth, died, August 28, after a long illness. He was scheduled to retire September 1.
Born in Neptune, the son of Anna and James Conover, Father grew up in Freehold and was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima parish, where he later also served as pastor for more than 15 years.
In a recent article in the Diocese of Trenton news publication honoring Father’s scheduled retirement, it was noted “Father Conover will leave behind a priestly legacy spanning almost half a century. The parishioners whose lives he touched, the communities he served, and the countless faithful who encountered Christ through his ministry stand as a powerful statement to that vocation.”
Prior to becoming a priest, Father Conover earned a certificate in medical technology from Monmouth University in 1967 and completed pre-seminary philosophy requirements in 1973 at Georgian Court University, Lakewood. Before entering seminary, he worked for the American Association of Blood Banks as assistant chief of the department of pathology, Monmouth Medical Center.
In 1978, he earned Master of Arts and Master of Theology degrees from Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He was ordained on May 20, 1978, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Trenton.
Father Conover belonged to the generation of priests that helped guide Catholic communities through decades of social, cultural and ecclesial change while remaining rooted in the Gospel and the sacramental life of the Church.
After serving at St. Mary’s, Father also served at St. Veronica, Howell; St. Raphael (now part of St. Raphael-Holy Angels), Hamilton, and St. Joseph (now part of Our Lady of Fatima, Keyport). He also served as pastor of St. Catherine Laboure Parish, Middletown, and was assigned as administrator of St. Rose of Lima before being named pastor. He served as chaplain at the Mater Dei High School, Middletown, and St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, and was a member of the diocesan Liturgical Commission and Engaged Encounter team.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Conover
